Stage & Screen Events: March 2017

THROUGH SATURDAY, MARCH 18WNO Presents Dead Man Walking and ChampionThe Washington National Opera is preparing to hit us all with the feels with this duo of moving performances. Dead Man Walking (through March 11) tells the story of a death row inmate convicted of murder, and Champion (through March 18) is the story of a closeted gay boxer whose victory over a homophobic opponent leads to an unexpected tragedy. Both stories focus on the battle between ignoring who you are and coming to terms with your true self. Buckle up for a haunting ride on the self-discovery train and get to the Kennedy Center stat. Various dates and show times. Tickets start at $35. The Kennedy Center: 2700 F St. NW, DC; www.kennedy-center.org

THROUGH SUNDAY, MARCH 26Mrs. Miller Does Her ThingSignature Theatre knows how to bring the funny, and they’re back at it again with Mrs. Miller Does Her Thing. Played by Emmy and Tony Award-winner Debra Monk, Mrs. Miller takes us on an entertaining journey of pushing through and flaunting it like you’ve got it, even when you don’t. Known for her singing being so bad, it’s good, this musical is sure to have you laughing and second-guessing abandoning any former passions of your own that you never quite mastered. Because if you’re anything like Mrs. Miller, you just don’t take no for an answer. Various dates and show times. Tickets are $40-$70. Signature Theatre: 4200 Campbell Ave. Arlington, VA; www.sigtheatre.org

FRIDAY, MARCH 3 – SUNDAY, APRIL 23Three SistersDo you ever find yourself in a situation thinking, “What just happened to me?” Now imagine that threefold and you’ve got Three Sisters. Chekhov was up to something when he wrote this play centered around siblings who just want out of their current daily musings of annoying suitors, weird gifts and boring entertainment. Sometimes in life you just need to ask yourself if this is what you want, and if it’s not, can you get out of it? A hilarious and tragic narrative on life’s joys and heartbreak, this play is sure to leave you thinking. Tuesday through Sunday, various show times. Tickets are $20-$74. Studio Theatre: 1501 14th St. NW, DC; www.studiotheatre.org

FRIDAY, MARCH 10 – SATURDAY, MAY 20RagtimeBased on E.L. Doctorow’s popular novel, this Tony-award winning musical sheds light on the American Dream by way of three entirely different families in the 20th century. The country teeters on the cusp of social change, causing the lives of a Jewish immigrant, a wealthy white family and a risky musician from Harlem to collide, changing the courses of their lives forever. This musical unapologetically confronts the optimistic and abrupt reality of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. With an all-star cast, crew and musical score, I can’t think of a better way to spend two hours and 45 minutes of your time. Various dates and show times. Tickets are $18-$71. Ford’s Theatre: 511 10th St. NW, DC; www.fords.org

THURSDAY, MARCH 16 – MONDAY, APRIL 17What Every Girl Should Know and Dry LandOne of the hot topics of conversation in today’s society (this is 2017, mind you) is the female body and what she is allowed, per the government’s choice, to do with it. Why not bring the debate to the stage? The Forum Theatre is proudly presenting two DC premieres, What Every Girl Should Know and Dry Land, two entirely different plays with the common theme of women’s reproductive rights and female empowerment. Both written and directed by powerhouse ladies, these shows are not to be missed. If gender equality, having a say on what’s right for your body, and what it’s really like to be a woman in today’s day and age tickles your fancy, these shows are for you. Various dates with show times at 2 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $18. The Forum Theatre: 8641 Colesville Rd. Silver Spring, MD; www.forum-theatre.org

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22 – SUNDAY, MARCH 26The Second City’s We’re All in This Room TogetherUp for a little improvised action and in-your-face entertainment that even an episode of This Is Us on Hulu Plus can’t provide? Join the company known as “the Harvard of comedy,” The Second City, for some belly-laughing fun and silliness that tops the latest Trumpence antics. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday at 8 p.m. Saturday at 7 and 10 p.m. Tickets are $27-$32. Wolf Trap: 1635 Trap Rd. Vienna, VA; www.wolftrap.org

THURSDAY, MARCH 30 – SUNDAY, APRIL 23‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore with King and No KingConvergence Theatre is bringing the heat this spring (or is it technically still winter?) Rolling two plays into one evening of entertainment, ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore with King and No King tells the tragic and comedic tale of a brother and sister committing the ever-creepy act of incest. It’s like The Fall of the House of Usher, minus the isolation tank, I’m sure. Both plays brink on overcoming the sense of reason with passion, but yield incredibly different results. Want to know what happens? You’re not the only one (it’s me, I want to know what happens too). Various dates and show times. Tickets are $20, or see both shows for $30. The Lab at Convergence: 1819 N. Quaker Ln. Alexandria, VA; www.bravespiritstheatre.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 31 – SUNDAY, MAY 7A Raisin in the SunKnown as the play that changed American theatre forever, A Raisin in the Sun touches on the American Dream and its vast interpretations. Chicagoans the Youngers come upon unexpected financial relief that promises to remove them from the confines of their small apartment. But when there’s a difference in their approach to escape surfaces, which path will they take? This play speaks out on the experiences of African Americans that are as relevant today as they were in 1959. A truly moving piece of theatre, this show is a must-see. Various dates and show times. Tickets start at $55. Arena Stage: 1101 Sixth St. SW, DC; www.arenastage.org

Kaitlyn McQuin hails from New Orleans and is a writer, actor, and funny lady with an affinity for caffeine and Amy Poehler. Though her articles typically cover theatre, Kaitlyn also enjoys writing for the millennial crowd. Some of her work has been published on Mavenly + Co., Thought Catalog, and Red Beans and Life. In her spare time, she enjoys staying active, scouring DC for the perfect beer, and teaching her mom how to properly use FaceTime. You can find more of her writing on her blog, Powered by Sass, where she tells it like it is about balancing careers, remembering to pay your bills, and loving someone in the military.